Latch



July 5, 192.7.

F. M. vANDRvooRT LATCH Filed Aug. 2e, 192s QH HQ.

QNII

' Ill.)

' parts of the door and door Patente-d July 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES n 1,634,63e PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS M. vANDRRvOoRT, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR To THE rosrrivn LOCK COMPANY, or PUEBLO, COLORADO, A CORPORATION OF COLORADO.

LATCH.

Application led'August 28, V1923. Serial No. 659,779. i

This invention relates to latches, particularly to latches used on the closures of vehicles, such as automobiles for instance, although it is tobe understood that latches embodying the invention are adapted to other uses. The term latch used herein is understood to broadly include both latch sure member and4 Casing ordinarily results in annoying squeaking or rattling of the clo-v sure member and its fastening means, especially after tho parts have become worn.

An object of the invention is to provide a'latch which will securely fasten the closure member to which it is-attached in ,its casing so that substantially all rattling of the closure member in its casing is prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latch, in which substantially all play between the parts of the latch and between the latch and the cooperating keeper is pre vented so that wear andrattling is substantially eliminated.

Other objects'and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in Connectionwith the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form of the invention, but it is to be understood that the Yspecific embodiment of the invention shown and described is merely one form chosen to explain the principles of the broad invention.

ln the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a latch and its cooperating keeper embodying this linvention shown in the position which the parts occupy when mounted on the door and door jamb, respect-itf'ely, of an automobile,

jamb being indicated by dotted lines, l

Fig. 2 is an end view ofthe latch and its cooperating keeper looking to the right of Fia.` l. l

Fig.l S is a sectional view of thelatch only taken on the line 4-4-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of f the arrows,

-Fig. 4 is an end view of the and ylatch only,

i Fig. 5 a plan view of, thekeeper.y l

.Broadly speaking, the invention comprises Vposition and adapted to be laterally retracted toy engage within cooperating keeper means and then klaterally projected to hold the latching means against rattling in the keeper means, and meansl for retracting the latching means longitudinally to.l unlatch the same.

Referring to the' drawings, 10 indicates generally .the latch mounting or casing which may be of any suitable or *desiredl shape to support Vthe latchin'g means andthe operating means associated therewith.` In the example illustrated, the mounting comprises a base or back plate 11y provided with holes l2 to receive fastening devices such as screws for securing the latchto the door, indicated inl dotted lines at D. VPlate 11 has an angularextension 13 at oneend constituting the front face of the latch casing or mounting andarranged to lie iiush with the free edge of the door. The yextension or front plate 13 is provided with an aperture 14 which affords ar passagek for the latching means B' therethrough. In the present instance (See Fig. 4) the aperture 14 is substantially U-shaped in outline with divergent portions or indentations 14a and 14b leading into or opening into thevmain part of the aperture.

The llatching means, indicated generally by B is supportedand yguided by a longitudinal b'arv15 supported at the frontend ofthe casing orV mounting 10 by front plate 18and at therear end of the casing by-'a support 16 rvwhich in the present instance is formed by 'a` lug or tongue cut or struck out from the back. plate 11.@v

As seen inl Fig. 3, thel front end of bar 15 extends through aperturef14v and projects a short 'distance from the' frontend or face of the casing The part of the bar which projects from` the frontend of. the latch `cas*- iti ing comprises a flat bead 17, a rounded bead 18 and a connecting Web portion 19 While the major part of the bar 15 comprises the rounded bead 18 and the web portion 19 much reduced in Width. Bead 17 ot bar 15 is seated or supported in a notch 2O provided in front plate 13, the part of the iveb Y which projects trom the front tace ot the latch casing abutting the front face ot front plate 13 to prevent bar 15 from sliding into the casing. In the example illustrated, liar 15 is formed from a single sheet ot metal stamped and bent to the desired shape, but it is obvious that it can be made in other Ways, as by casting, tor instance, and the exact shape may diller from that illustrated.

As previoi'rsly stated, the latcliing means, indicated generally by B, is mounted on and supported by thel bar 15. The latchi'ng means comprises tivo latching members or leaves 21 and 22 and an abutment member or bar 23. The latching members or leaves 21 and 22 have arcuate' or curved portions 26 and 27 and substantially straight portions 24- and 25 respectively, each straight portion' extending from the convex side ot its arcuate or curved portion in a -line corresponding.substantially with the radius of the arc oi its curved portion. The latch members 21 and 22 are supported on bar 15 so that the concave sides of the arcuate 0r curved portions 26 and 27 engage the rounded or circular bead 18, being held in engagement therewith by the slightly resilient substantially U-shaped abutment inember or bar 23, the arcuate portions 26 and 27 being provided with slots or perfor-ations 28 and 29 respectively, tvvo in each arcuate portion', which receive tongues or lugs 30 formed on the longitudinal edges of abutment member or bar 2?. It Will thus be seen that latch members or leaves 21. and 22 swing or rotate about the bead 1S of supporting bar 15, the divergent straight portions and 25 swinging toward and away from each other. It will also be noted that as leaves 21 and 22 rotate to separate the swinging ends ot the straight portions, abutment member' or bar 23 is moved awa-y 'trom the bead 18 and the longitudinal axis ot the latching means. Latehing members or leaves 21 and 22 are ,n orn'ially held in separated or laterally projected position by leaf spring 31, latching members or leaves 21 and 22j-being provided with holes 32 `which re'- 'ceive and support the ends et the spring. The curved portion of abutment bar 23 is provided with aslot 33 for receiving and supporting spring 31. As kstated before, the latching means extends through the aperture in v:trent platel, the aperture being large enough to allovv tree moven'ient oit the p' Y and 22 and abutment ,23. Y j 'Bar 1 5 not enlyvsupportslateliing means B ter swinging movement, but 'also ter sliding movement. Normally the latching means extends through aperture 14 and projects from the front end of the latch casing, the latching bolt beine' .held in this position by a spring 34 coiled about bar 15, one end ot the spring engaging support 16 and the other end engaging bent ears'or lugs 35 on the rear end of abutment member 23. Spring 34 presses abutment bar 23 against a pivoted retracting` lever Brivhich extends through a slot 37 formed inthecurve'd side ot abutment member 23. Retracting lever 36, which is pivoted at 38 vto the latch casing, is in turn pressed against a cam or roll-back 39 pivoted at 40. It will thus be seen that the retracting lever 36 and cam or rollback 39 form means for limiting the projection ot the latching means or boltfrom the casing and that the pressure of spring 84 transmitted by abutment member 23 to pivoted retracting lever 3G and roll-back 39 holds these parts against rattling. A plate Ll1 cooperates vvith base or back plate 11 to house and support the retracting mechanism.

The outer end of the bolt "or latching means B normally projects from the free edge of Vthe door and when the door is swung to close it, the projecting end ot the bolt engages and is retained by suitable keeper means mounted on the door jamb J. The

keeper means or strike plate42 comprises a plate or block which may be or rectangular shape secured so as to be flush with the edge ot' thef door jamb by suitable tasteniug means inserted through holes 4&3. The keeper or strike plate l2 is cut or stamped out to provide an irregular shaped opening to receive the leaves and abutment bar comprising' the latching means, said opening comprising a tapering' entrance'port'ion lea-ding from one edge ot the keeper plate, a constrieterL neck portion 116 andan enlarged or recntrant portion Il?. Ilhe restricted or neck portion 116 ot the opening l1- is made large enough tor the abutment bar 2?; to pass through but too small for the leaves 21 `and 22 to vpass through in their spread open or laterally projected position.

ln swinging the door to latched position,

the longitudinally projecting latching means strikes the keeper 4t2, the Spread open or laterally projecting leaves 21 and 22 striking the tapering entrance portion 4:5, the leaves being forced together or laterally retracted'. llhen the leaves are forced together or laterally retracted, the abut-ment member or bar 28 is alsomoved laterally toward the supporting bar 15. Lateral retraction or swinging together of the leaves continues unt-il after they pass the constrictedV neck portion e6 or" the keeper, the leavesthen entering the enlarged or reentra'nt portion i7 ot the opening 44. Just as soonas the straight ends ot' the leaves enter, the enlarged or Wider part et the opening, the

Sil

.rattling i bv operating roll back 39 by leaves are laterally projected by spring 31, thestraight ends ot'v the leaves flying o utward until they come into engagement With the curved edges of the opening, abutment bar 23 being moved by the sameoutward movement Aof the leaves into engagement with the back part of the opening in the keeper' plate. Thus it Will be s een that the latching means iirmly Wedges itseliiin the .keeper opening to prevent substantially all To release Aor open the door, the latching means `is longitudinally retracted or slid in the direction ot-its length by operating the retracting lever 36" directly or u means of an outside handle V(not shown) adapted to engage in the square aperture 48 provided in the roll back, roll back 39 in turn engaging and operating-the retracting lever to longitudinally retract the latching means.

In .assembling the latching means, the leaves are first assembled With the abutment bar and these parts then slid over the forward end of the supporting bar. The abutment bar is made slightly resilient so as to hold the leaves in' engagement Witlrthe round head ot' the supporting bar and at the same time allow for the movement of the abutment bar by the leaves.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact arrangement disclosed and that various modifications can be made Without departing from the scope ot the invention as defined in the appended claims. v

What is claimed is:

1. A latch comprising expansible latching means sivingable to latching position and slidable to unlatched position.

2.' A latch comprising an expansible .and slidable keeper-engaging latching member', said member swinging to latching position and sliding to unla-tched position.

3. A latch comprising latchingl means sivingable and slidable onr the same axis, said latching meansv swinging to latching position and sliding to unlatched position.-

4e. A latch comprising latching means swingable and slidable on the same' axis', said latching means Swingin!y transversely of said axis to latching position and slidable longitudinally of said axis to unlatched position. v

5. The combination, with rigid keeper means, of normally projecting expansible latching means movable Without longitudinal retraction to latched position Within the keeper means, and means tor retracting said latching means.

6. A latch comprising normally projecting latching means swin'gable on anaxis extending longitudinally thereof to latching position, said latching means slidable on such longitudinal axis to unlatched position.

7. A latch comprising normally projecting latching means movable transversely on an axis extending longtiudinally thereof to latched position, said latching means movable longitudinally of said longitudinal axis to unlatched position.

8. In a latch, a latclrmembercomprising opposed elements movable transversely ot a part of said -member to latching position, said member-being movable longitudinally to unlatched position.l

9. A latch comprising normally projecting latching means movable Without longitudinal retraction in a certain plane to latch,- ing position, said latching means being movable to unlatching position by movement in a line substantially at right angles to the plane of' movement which effects latching.

10. In a latch, a latch member comprising a. part 'movable transversely of the latch member to latching position, said member being movable longitudinally to unlatc'hed position.l Y l 11'. In a latch, a latch member comprising a part movable transversely to an axis extending longitudinally ot the latch member to lat-ching position, said memberv being movable longitudinally to unlatched position. y

12. In a latch, latching means `adapted to be projected and retracted on an axis extending longitudinally thereof, said latching means comprising means movable transversely ot its longitudinal axis to latching position.

13. In a latch, latching means adapted to .bey projected and retracted on an axis extending longitudinally thereof, said latch- `ing-means comprising means rotatable on the longitudinal axis of said latchingmeans to latching position, and means operable by such rotatable means adapted to be extended laterally of such rotatable means.

K 14. Ina'latch, latching means adapted to A be projected and retracted on an axis extending longitudinally thereof, said latching means adapted to be contracted. and cxpanded on the longitudinal axis thereof, said latching means movable to latching position While in the projected position.

15. The combination, with keeper means, of latching means adapted to be projectet and retracted on lan axis extending longitudinally thereof, said latching means adapted to be projected and retracted laterally ot' the longitudinal axis of said latching means, rsaid latching'means normally held in laterally projected position and adapted to be laterally retracted to engage Within the keeper means and then laterally projected to hold thelatching means against rattling in the keeper means.

l 16. A latch comprising latching means' adapted to be projected and retracted laterally and longitudinally, "said latching means normally held in laterally and longiico gagement with said keeper means, said latching and abutn'rent members being laterally and longitudinally projected when engaged in the keeper means, said members being wedged against movement in said keeper means.

18. A latch comprising a supporting bar, a latching element mounted 'for sliding and swinging movement on said bar, and means operable by said latehing element movable laterally of said bar.

19. A latch comprising a supporting bar, opposed latching elements mounted for sliding and swinging movement on said bar, and an abutment bar operable by said latching elements movable laterally ot' said supporting bar.

20. A latch comprising a supporting bar, opposed latching elements mounted for sliding and swinging movement on said bar, means for normally hold-ing said latching elements in laterally projected position, and means operable by said latching elements movable laterally of said supporting bar.

21. A latch comprising a latching element, and an abutment bar, said latching element and abutment bar movable laterally and longitudinally7 initial longitudinal movement ot the abutn'ient bar being transmitted to the latching element to move it longitudinally and initial lateral' movementot .the latching element being' transmitted to the abutment bar to move it laterally.

22. A latch. comprising opposed latching elements swingable to latching position and slida-ble to un'latched position, and abutment `means movable laterally ol said latching ele-- ments.

2S. A latch comprising opposed latching elements swingable to latching position and slidable to unlatched position, and abutment means operable by said latching elements movable laterally thereof.

24. A latch comprising opposed latching elements swingable to latching position and.

sli-dable to unlatched position, and abutmentmeans carried by said latching elements movable laterally thereof.

25. A lat-ch comprising a casing, a supporting bar carried by said casing, opposed latching elements swingably and slidably mounted on said supporting bar, and abutment means movable laterally of sai-d latching elements.

26. A latch comprising a casing, a' supporting bar carried by said casing, opposed latclfi-ing elements sWinga-bly and sl'idably mounted on saidv supporting bar, and abutment means carried by 'said latching elements movable laterally by said latching elements.

27. vThe combination, with rigid keeper means, el normally projecting latehing means movable without longitudinal retraction to latche'd position within the keeper means,- said latching mean-s movable laterally within the keeper means to wedge the latching mea-ns against movement in the keeper mea-ns, and means for retracting -'said latchmeans. Y

28. In a latch, lateliing means adapted .to be projected and retracted on an axis extending longitudinally thereof, said latching means adapted to be contracted and eX- panded on the longitudinal -aXis thereof, said latchi-n-g means movable to 'latch-ing position while in the projected position, means normally holding said 'latehing means in projected position, and means normally holding sai-d latching means in expanded position.

29. 1n a latch, latching means adapted to be projected and retrac-ted on an airis eX- ten-ding longitudinally thereof,A said latching means adapted to be contracted and eX- pan'ded on 'the longitudinal axis thereof, said latching means movable to latching position while in the projected position, and mea-ns tor retracting said latching means.

30. In a latch, latchi-ng means adapted to be projected and retracted on an axis/extending longitudinally thereof, said latching means adapted to be contracted and eX-V -panded on the longitudinal axis thereof, said. latching means movable to latching position while in the projec-ted position, resilient means normally retaining said latching means in the projected position, resilient means normally retaining' said latching mea-ns in expanded position, and means for retracting said latching means.

31 A latch comprising a supporting bar, latch members mounted for sliding and swinging movement on said supporti-ng bar, and an abutment bar carried by said latch members and operable thereby, said abutment bar holding said latch membersin engagement with said supporting bar.

82. A latch comprising a supportingbar provided with a rounded portion, latch mem- 'bers mounted for sliding and swinging movement on said support-ing bar, each latch member provided with a rounded portion engaging the' rounded `portion of said supporting bar, and an abutment bar connected to said latch members and operable thereby, said abutment bar holding the rounded port-ions oit said latch members in engagement with theV rounded portion of sai-d supporting bar. y n j 88. A 'latch comprising a supporting 'bar provided with a circular bead, latch members mounted for sliding and swinging movement on said supporting bar, each latch member provided With an arcuate portion and a substantially straight portion, said latch members mounted on said supporting bar so that the arcuate portions thereof' engage the circular bead of said supporting bar With the substantially straight portions of the latch members divergent, and an abutment bar connected to the arcuate portions of said latch members, said abutment bar holding the latch members in engagement with said supporting bar.

34. A latch comprising a casing, a sup- )ortino` bar carried b said casino said su l a sa porting bar provided With a circular bead, latch members mounted for sliding and swinging movement on sai-d supporting bar, each latch member provided With. an arcuate portion and a substantially straight portion, said latch members mounted on said supporting bar so that the arcuate portions thereof engage the circular bead of said supporting bar With the substantially straight portions divergent, spring means for normally causing said straight portions of said latch members to diverge, an abutment bar connected to the arcuate portions of said latch members, said abutment bar holding the latch members in engagement with said supporting bar, spring means engaging said abutment bar normally holding said abutment bar and latch members in longitudinallyprojected positions, and means engaging said abutment bar for retracting said abutment bar and said latch members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afIiX my signature.

FnANois M. vANnEnvooRT. 

